“Start where you are. Use what you have.
Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
Index of Lipedema Resources
Standard of Care for Lipedema
Additional Resources for Lipedema
Books for Lymphatic Dysfunction
Clinical Trials for Lipedema
Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema
Continuing Education for Lipedema
Diagnosis Codes for Lipedema
Exercise & Movement for Lymphatic Dysfunction
Finding Lipedema Practitioners
Finding Lipedema Therapists
Laboratory Tests for Lipedema
Nutrition for Lymphatic Dysfunction
Patient Registry for Lipedema
Prescription Savings
Printable Materials for Lipedema
Research Papers on Lipedema
Southwest US Lipedema Resources
Supplements to Assist Lymphatic Dysfunction
Supplies for Lymphatic Dysfunction
Symptom Trackers for Lipedema
Videos for Lipedema
More About Lipedema
Standard of Care for Lipedema
The United States Standard of Care was released in 2021 by experts in the United States in the field of lipedema research and treatment. I would recommend printing a copy of this and giving it to all personal physicians and practitioners, as it outlines the newest research in diagnosis and treatment of lipedema.
Additional Resources for Lipedema
The websites listed below are excellent ways to learn about lipedema and offer resources for additional information about diagnosis and treatment.
American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine
American Lymphedema Association
American Lymphedema Framework Project
American Vein and Lymphatic Society
Fat Disorders Resource Society
Lipedema.com
Lipedema Foundation
Lipedema World Alliance
Lipoedema Australia
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Resource Center
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
Lymphology Association of North America
National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases
National Lymphedema Network
Talk Lipoedema
Clinical Trials for Lipedema
There are several ways to search for current clinical trials.
Lipedema Trials | Clinical Trials.gov
Lipedema Trials | Good Clinical Practice Network
LEGWORK Clinical Study Finder | Lipedema Foundation
Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has recently published the Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema to help in diagnosing the disease. This document is also a good resource to give to practitioners.
Continuing Education for Lipedema
Anatomy, Lymphatic System StatPearls | National Institutes of Health
Lipedema StatPearls | National Institutes of Health
Diagnosis Codes for Lipedema
https://www.lipedema.org/icd-codes
Q82.0 Hereditary lymphedema
Q82.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM Q82.0 became effective on October 1, 2022. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of Q82.0; other international versions of ICD-10 Q82.0 may differ.
E88 Other and unspecified metabolic disorders
……E88.2 Lipomatosis, not elsewhere classified
…………..E88.20 Lipedema, Stage 1
…………..E88.20 Lipedema, Stage 2
…………..E88.20 Lipedema Stage 3
…………..E88.28 Other or Unspecified Lipedema
E88.2 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM E88.2 became effective on October 1, 2022. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of E88.2; other international versions of ICD-10 E88.2 may differ.
Finding Lipedema Practitioners
Most in our community understand that locating a practitioner who is knowledgeable about lipedema is nearly an impossibility.
Ways to Search for Practitioners
There are several methods to use to look for a physician or other practitioners who is knowledgeable about lipedema. Those specialties which usually are good places to look are: cardiologists, vascular/vein doctors, dermatologists and lymphedema clinics.
The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine offers a physician locator for Certified Vein Specialists.
The American Vein and Lymphatic Society (formerly the American College of Phlebology) offers a member locator.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society offers the Ehlers Danlos Healthcare Professionals Directory for physicians and therapists.
The Lipedema Foundation also offers tips for finding a lipedema specialist.
Finding Lipedema Therapists
Most in our community understand that locating a therapist who has experience in working with lipedema is difficult.
About Certified Lymphedema Therapists and Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapists
There is no single criteria that defines and certifies a “certified lymphedema therapist” (CLT). The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) are two organizations which have recommended minimum standards for competency, including 128-135 hours of training in decongestive therapy and hands-on experience with lymphedema patients. LANA also recommends courses in relevant lymphatic network-focused anatomy and physiology and hands-on instruction. The aspiring lymphedema therapist may take the Clinical Lymphedema Therapist-LANA (CLT-LANA) exam upon completion of this course work.
A lymphedema therapist specializes in the treatment of lymphedema — he or she may be a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, massage therapist, etc. Practitioners who specialize in lymphedema therapy are adept at manual decongestive therapy — the form of specialized massage used to stimulate lymph drainage in affected areas of the body — and at applying compression wraps. There are several schools mentioned below for this type of training.
Klose Training also offers a professional credential in manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) as a “Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist” (CMLDT). Instruction in anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system is presented, and MLD treatment sequences are demonstrated and practiced. Treatment for mild, medically-uncomplicated upper and lower extremity lymphedema is taught as well as treating traumatic and post-surgical edema.
What is a lymphedema therapist and how can one help you? (n.d.). Lymphedema Products.
Ways to Search for Therapists
Ways to Search for Therapists
The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certifies therapists and offers a therapist locator.
There are several different schools and methods of instruction in lymphatic drainage. Use the links below to locate a therapist near you.
Academy of Lymphatic Studies Therapists (ACOLS)
Casley-Smith Therapists
Chikly Therapists
Klose Therapists
Norton Therapists
Vodder Therapists
You can also use the resource map at the American Lymphedema Framework Project to locate therapists in your area.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society offers the healthcare professionals directory for physicians and therapists.
The Lipedema Foundation also offers tips for finding a lipedema specialist.
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) also offers tips to find a lymphedema therapist.
Schools for Therapists
Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS)
Brennan School of Innovative Lymphatic Studies
Casley-Smith International
Chikly Institute
International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute
Klose Training
LymphEd
Monarch Consulting and Education
Norton School
Pacific Therapy Education
Plastic Surgery Recovery Massage
Vodder School
Laboratory Tests for Lipedema
Dr. Karen Herbst, who is considered the upmost expert in lipedema, has shared a list of lab tests for fat disorders, which lists those lab values she feels necessary to help with diagnosis.
Patient Registry for Lipedema
Please consider joining the lipedema registry at the Lipedema Foundation in order to share your experience with lipedema. This invaluable information is compiled and used to learn more about lipedema and to develop new treatment approaches.
Printable Materials for Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has created the informational lipedema brochures below in English, German and Spanish for your physicians and practitioners. These can either be printed at home or requested from the Lipedema Foundation.
The Fat Disorders Resource Society has created the informational lipedema card below for your physicians and practitioners, which can be requested from FDRS.
Other Printables
10 Things I’d Like my Family and Friends to Know About Lymphedema PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
10 Things Individuals With Lymphedema Need to Know About Fibrosis PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
Guide to Blogs About Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases PDF | Lymphatic Education & Research Network
Research Papers on Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has a new way to search for papers on lipedema research called the LegATO library.
Recent Research
Aday, A., Donahue, P., Garza, M., Crain, V., et al. (2024). National survey of patient symptoms and therapies among 707 women with a lipedema phenotype in the United States. Vascular Medicine.
Symptom Trackers for Lipedema
Coming soon.
More About Lipedema
4 reasons BMI is dangerously flawed | Dr. Thomas Wright
A guide to lipedema treatment: Established and new management strategies | Healthline
Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage | Hypervibe
Biomarker for lipedema, other lymphatic diseases discovered | Stanford Medicine
Detox your lymphatic system with these 20 tricks | Medical News
Diagnosing lipedema | Lipedema Foundation
Differences between lipedema and lymphedema | Lymphedema Blog
Do vibration plates help with swelling? | Hypervibe
How nurses can spot and support patients suffering from lipedema | Minority Nurse
How vibration plates help lipedema | Lifepro Fitness
Identifying fibrosis in every stage of lymphedema | Lymphatic Network
Insights on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of lipedema | Dr. Karen Herbst, Wound Care Learning Network
Introduction to lipedema | Dr. Thomas Wright, Vein Magazine
Ladies, here’s what you should know about lipedema, a condition that causes excess fat in the legs | Cleveland Clinic
Lipedema | Cleveland Clinic
Lipedema: A commonly misdiagnosed but real condition | Banner Health
Lipedema: A devastating disease too often overlooked | Dr. Thomas Wright, Vein Magazine
Lipedema: A frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty tissue deposition syndrome SLIDES | Dr. Margarita Correa
Lipedema: A summary | Dr. Thomas Wright
Lipedema and Hypermobility | Dr. Thomas Wright
Lipedema and the relationship to both fascia and inflammation | Schierling Chiropractic
Lipedema: Diagnosis, causes, and types | Medical News Today
Lipedema fat and BMI | Dr. Thomas Wright and Dr. Karen Herbst, Vein Magazine
Lipedema guide: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more | Tactile Medical
Lipedema or cellulite? How to tell the difference | Healthline
Lipedema versus lymphedema: Differences and key takeaways | Hypervibe
Lipedema versus lymphedema: What to know to protect your limbs | Northwell Health
Lipedema’s invisible toll | Harvard Health Publishing
Lipoedema | National Health Service UK
Lipoedema | Victoria State Government, Department of Health AU
Lipoedema awareness — the current state of play | PMFA Journal
Living with lymphedema in legs | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphatic drainage massage | Real Bodywork
Lymphatic system anatomy | Kenhub
Lymphatic Yoga® | Edely Wallace
Lymphedema and airline travel | Lymphedema Blog
Lymphedema and blood pressure | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphedema and lipedema — Indications, contraindications and risk factors SLIDES | 2018 Michigan Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference
Lymphedema versus lipedema: Similar but different | Cleveland Clinic
Lymphorrhea | Jean LaMantia RD
Medicines and selenium supplements for lymphedema | Jean LaMantia RD
Patient guide to self-diagnosing lipedema | Toronto Physiotherapy
The science behind guaifenesin: Unlocking the benefits for lipedema | Dr. Marcia Byrd, Lipedema Surgery Center
Standard of care for lipedema in the United States | Journal of Phlebology
Tools for lipedema treatment | Lympha Press
Understanding fibrosis in lipedema: Inflamed subcutaneous adipose tissue and nodules | Lymphatic Network
What is lipedema? | Center for Vascular Medicine
What is lipedema? | Jobst LymphCare
What is lipedema? All about the fat that’s not your fault | Carolina Vein Center
What is lipedema, and how can it be treated? | Dr. Sue Pedersen
What you need to know about pressotherapy | Healthline
Where does lipedema fat accumulate? | Dr. Thomas Wright